The Movie Queen’s Secret Stand-In Lover [Entertainment Industry] - Chapter 16

The reshoot was completed quickly.

Zhou Ning had been kneeling for what felt like an eternity—on uneven stone bricks, no less. When she finally stood up, she hadn’t anticipated her legs being so numb that she couldn’t steady herself. Staggering, she fell headfirst onto the ground with a heavy thud, her smooth, bald head making a terrifying dull impact against the stone pavement.

The prop crew, busy packing up, cast sympathetic glances at Zhou Ning, but no one stepped forward to help. It wasn’t that they lacked the kindness—they simply didn’t have free hands or time. There were still several scenes to shoot tonight!

Yuan Zhi, who had already turned to leave for her next costume change, paused at the sound and glanced back. Seeing Zhou Ning sitting pitifully on the ground, clutching her head with no one to assist her, she frowned and strode over. Bending down, she grabbed Zhou Ning’s arm and hauled her up, asking with mild reproach, “Are you hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Whether Zhou Ning was here to earn money or experience the life of an actor, Yuan Zhi could have just told her and arranged things accordingly. There was no need for her to suffer like this for no reason.

Zhou Ning reacted as if she’d seen a ghost, leaping up in alarm, her eyes wide. She stumbled back several steps before immediately bowing her head low. “I-I’m fine. Thank you, Yuan Zhi-jie.”

She was terrified. Why was Sugar Daddy talking to her so openly in front of everyone? Didn’t she worry about people noticing something off? With so many around, surely some sharp-eyed observers would catch on. Or was Sugar Daddy just that confident in her acting skills? Because Zhou Ning certainly wasn’t! She was afraid of giving them away!

Yuan Zhi stepped closer, amiably checking Zhou Ning’s bald head for injuries while gritting her teeth and whispering harshly in her ear, “You could at least act normal! No need to look at me like I’m some kind of monster!”

“Y-Yes…” Zhou Ning bit her lip guiltily.

Yuan Zhi suddenly felt something odd underfoot. Looking down, she spotted a shallow dent in the stone brick. Suspicious, she glanced back at Zhou Ning’s shiny head. “Are you sure, is your head okay? No dizziness? No concussion?”

For some reason, she suspected that dent was made by Zhou Ning’s skull. Maybe it was just because Zhou Ning left such a bizarre impression on her.

Zhou Ning shook her head silently, deep in thought. As an extra, what would be a normal reaction when encountering a big star like Sugar Daddy?

“Zhizhi-jie, can I take a photo with you after wrap?” A background actress playing a palace maid approached timidly.

Yuan Zhi withdrew her gaze from Zhou Ning and smiled warmly at the actress. “Of course.” She couldn’t take individual photos with everyone, but a group shot with the crew at the end would be fine.

Oh! Zhou Ning had an epiphany. This was how a small extra should act around a celebrity! Grinning, she hurried after Yuan Zhi, who had turned to leave again, and asked cautiously, “Yuan Zhi-jie, could I get your autograph? I’ve been a fan of yours for ages.”

Yuan Zhi froze. She was in a rush for her next scene! What was Zhou Ning doing now?

“Sure. You didn’t bring paper and pen, did you?” She turned back and gave Zhou Ning a helpless look: “Come with me to the lounge. They have some there.”

“Ah? Oh…” Zhou Ning followed in a daze. She was just pretending to be a little fan for the occasion, not actually wanting an autograph!

The palace maid who had asked for a photo earlier excitedly said she wanted an autograph too and tagged along.

The lounge was equipped with a makeup mirror and changing rooms. The makeup artist and costume designer had already arrived with their gear, waiting.

“Zhi-jie. These are the costumes for the next Entering the Palace Scene.”

“Okay. Just a moment.” Yuan Zhi took out a notepad and pen from her bag, first signing for the palace maid, then obligingly taking a photo together before finally turning leisurely to Zhou Ning while signing: “Little girl, which of my works do you like best?” She deliberately wanted to tease Zhou Ning. How dare Zhou Ning claim to be her fan when during their first meeting, Zhou Ning clearly hadn’t even known who she was!

Zhou Ning had at least done her homework. Sugar Daddy’s early TV dramas, later films, various interviews and variety shows, even performances at galas—she had watched them all. Not to the point of reciting them backwards, but she could recall eighty to ninety percent.

“I love them all! From your debut work…” Zhou Ning began listing them one by one like treasures: “And your recently released film… Yuan Zhi-jie is also amazing in variety shows, remember that cooking program, hahahahaha…” Sugar Daddy truly couldn’t cook—who knew someone would make scrambled eggs with tomatoes without even cutting the tomatoes? The reasoning was—they’d get mushy anyway.

Brilliant!

But her unrestrained laughter was swiftly cut off by Sugar Daddy’s icy glare.

“Seems you really are a loyal fan.” Yuan Zhi handed the signed notepad to Zhou Ning, wearing a professional, practiced smile.

Though she didn’t show it, she was somewhat pleased. Anyone would feel happy being treated with such care, and she quite liked Zhou Ning’s earnestness.

“Wow! So happy! Finally got Yuan Zhi-jie’s autograph!” Zhou Ning exaggeratedly accepted the notepad, waving it around.

Over the top. Yuan Zhi gave Zhou Ning a slightly disdainful smile: “It’s rare to meet a fan who knows my acting career so well. Do you live nearby? It’s late, and it’s not safe for a young girl to go home alone. Should I have my driver take you?” She wasn’t clear about the agreement between Zhou Ning and Sun Mingyue, but she felt uneasy about Zhou Ning, even though Sun Mingyue had made a decent first impression.

Just in case? The industry had all sorts of odd people, and they weren’t the same kind of odd as Zhou Ning. Zhou Ning’s oddness was harmless.

Zhou Ning shook her head, deeply moved: “No need. Thank you, Yuan Zhi-jie.”

“Are you sure?” Yuan Zhi stared at Zhou Ning, displeased. Why was this kid refusing her kindness?

“Mm-hmm.” Zhou Ning nodded vigorously.

The makeup artist and costume designer looked anxious but didn’t dare rush Yuan Zhi.

Reading the room, Zhou Ning said, “I won’t disturb you any longer. Yuan Zhi-jie must be preparing for the next scene, right?” With that, she left the lounge.

Yuan Zhi watched Zhou Ning’s retreating figure with a complicated gaze. Could Zhou Ning have fallen for that Sun Mingyue?

Yuan Xiaoyuan went to help the assistant director with the headcount to make ordering meals easier. Just as she finished and returned, she saw Zhou Ning coming out of the restroom. Her eyes widened in shock! What was going on? She was aware that Zhou Ning had somehow ended up as an extra on set—after all, they had been filming for a while, and she wasn’t blind.

But why was Zhou Ning coming out of Sister Zhi’s restroom? Sister Zhi was usually very cautious, and judging from the gift incident, she didn’t seem to like Zhou Ning much. So why would she risk inviting her into the restroom? Thinking about the special relationship between Zhou Ning and Sister Zhi, and the possible steamy scenes that might have happened inside, Yuan Xiaoyuan’s face flushed red with embarrassment.

Zhou Ning also spotted Yuan Xiaoyuan and smiled at her happily, though she didn’t dare greet her openly in front of everyone. After leaving the restroom, she headed to the studio tent to return her costume. However, there were too many extras waiting in line, so she decided to skip the queue for now and went to find the assistant director to collect her payment.

“Daytime rate is 130, night scenes are 180. I said triple, so 540.”

“Thank you, director!” Sniff… Zhou Ning felt all the hardships of the day were instantly worth it. The soreness in her waist and the pain in her knees were magically healed by the money. Excited, she opened her WeChat balance to admire her hard-earned earnings, only to realize that amidst the tens of thousands she had casually withdrawn from her bank account, 540 yuan was barely noticeable.

She often forgot—thanks to the blessings of her Sugar Daddy—she was now a person of modest means.

On her way to return the costume after collecting her payment, Zhou Ning was blocked by a figure. With so many people coming and going around, she wasn’t particularly worried and tried to sidestep the person to continue forward.

But the man shifted his stance and blocked her path again.

Zhou Ning raised her gaze in annoyance, looking at the lewd-looking man dressed as a palace guard. That casting director had been right—the film set was a chaotic place. She had already encountered a thief earlier in the afternoon, and now she was facing a pervert. The way this man was drooling while staring at her was utterly disgusting.

“Little nun. Big bro here’s got a chance for you to make serious money. Interested?” The guard rolled up his costume sleeve, revealing a watch worth over a million. His family was well-off, and he had paid his way into the crew to land a minor role. Not that he cared much about the role—his intentions lay elsewhere.

Of course, he couldn’t aim for the A-list stars, but playing around with a lowly extra like her? That was doable.

Zhou Ning’s expression turned icy as she replied firmly, “Not interested! Could you please move aside?” What was with this guy rolling up his sleeves? Was he planning to get physical? With so many people around, she wasn’t afraid!

“You didn’t even ask how much!” The guard licked his lips greedily, eyeing Zhou Ning’s upright, untouchable demeanor. “Big bro likes your type—pretending to be all prim and proper. The bald head’s a bonus. Twenty thousand for one night—way easier than being an extra. If you’re interested, come find me!” Before Zhou Ning could react, he slipped a hotel keycard into the pocket of her coat draped over her bag, whispered the hotel name and room number, then swaggered off.

“Psycho!” Zhou Ning’s mouth twisted in disgust. What nonsense about twenty thousand for a night—her current chat rate was a hundred grand per session, thank you very much!

“Did someone bother you again?” A man’s voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. That creepy pickpocket eunuch guy who’d been eyeing her bag was back! Of course someone was bothering her—it was him, for heaven’s sake!

“It’s fine now.” Zhou Ning flashed him a perfunctory smile over her shoulder before hurrying toward the costume tent.

When she returned after dropping off the outfits, the eunuch guy was still loitering by the entrance. Seriously? Was he that determined to steal her phone? Well, she couldn’t blame him—Sugar Daddy had gifted her an expensive model.

“Finished filming your scenes?” The eunuch guy caught up to her, fawning as he warned, “Watch your step. The lighting’s dim, and the ground’s uneven.”

“Yeah.” She had wrapped filming, but she wasn’t planning to leave just yet. To discourage further harassment, she replied curtly, “I’m not really in the mood to talk. If you’re that desperate for conversation, maybe find someone else?”

It was too late to head back alone from such a remote location, and honestly, the idea of hailing a cab by herself was unnerving. Worse, the crew wasn’t just full of diligent workers like Assistant Director Sister Wang—there were also shady characters like the eunuch guy lurking around. Danger was literally at arm’s length.

She’d already made plans with Sun Mingyue. Once Sun Mingyue finished her final palace scene, they’d ride back to the hotel together in the crew’s arranged transport. Funny enough, during their chat, Zhou Ning realized the hotel assigned to the actors was the same one she’d checked into when she first arrived in Y City.

That was exactly why she’d turned down Sugar Daddy’s offer earlier. If she could hitch a ride back with Sun Mingyue, why trouble him? Outside, it was safer to keep their interactions to a minimum anyway.

Instead of being deterred, the eunuch guy seemed even more delighted. His instincts were sharp—this aloof attitude? A rich girl! “No problem, no talking. My scenes are done too, so I’ll just stick around. With me here, no one else will dare bother you.”

“No thanks!” Zhou Ning clutched her bag tighter, shaking out her trench coat before slipping it on and darting toward the brightest-lit area. Sugar Daddy and Sun Mingyue were filming the palace entrance scene there—plenty of light, people, and safety.

Clink.

Something hit the ground.

As Zhou Ning ran, a card-like object tumbled from her coat pocket. The eunuch guy lunged forward and snatched it up.

A room key?

Heh. He could return it to her at the hotel. And once that door opened… well, with a little persistence, who knew what might happen? He wasn’t bad looking, after all.

2 a.m. Hotel front desk.

“Hello, is this the guest in Room 3021? Someone claims to have found your key and says they know you. Should we verify their identity before sending them up?” the receptionist asked cautiously.

The man in the room impatiently loosened his robe. “No need. I know her. Let her come up.”

The door opened to pitch darkness.

The eunuch guy, still masked to avoid recognition, barely had time to deliver the pickup lines he’d rehearsed the whole way before a powerful force yanked him inside.

His heart swelled with delight: The rich young lady really was one person in public and another in private. So impatient. And damn, she was strong—looked like he’d have to put in some real effort tonight to keep her satisfied.

But soon, he sensed something was off…

And so did the other person…